Trunk-stay



(No Model.)

C. D. SIGSBEE.

, TRUNK STAY. No. 298,789.

Patented May 20", 1884.

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V\/ ITNESSES 52342.?.

N. PETERS. Phomilhegmpner. wamingwn. DA c.

rares artnr tricm CHARLES D. SIGSBEE, F ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND.

TRUNK-STAY.

SPECIFICATION fol-ming part of Letters Patent No. 298,789, dated May 2o, 1884.' Application filed June 27, 18h13. (No model.)

To @ZZ tui/1,0711, t may concern:

Be it known that I, Crmnnns D. SIGsnnE, of Annapolis, in the county of Anne Arundel and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trunk-Stays; and I do hereby declare that the following is v a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this speciiication.

My invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of trunk-stays, preti erably folding stays, and has for its object to provide a joint for a folding stay which admits of economy of construction, compactness,

and certainty of folding and of opening the blades to their full extent or until they come to a center.

It has for its further object to provide against the accidental falling of the trunk-lid by a method of locking the trunk-stay, whereby the resistance of the locking mechanism to the closing movement of the trunk-lid may be varied in intensity by pressure applied to the lid.

It has for its further object to provide a means of guiding clear of the sides ofthe trunk and trunk-tray such parts ofthe stay as might chafe or tear the trunk or prevent the folding7 traveling, or sliding of the stay by interference with the trunk.

My invention enables me to dispense with the use of the spring commonly employed in the locking mechanism of folding trunk-stays, to use very cheap and thin metal for stays, and to cut the metal to advantage and without waste.

It further enables me to dispense with the metal stops or studs commonly used to prevent the blades of folding trunk-stays coming to a center, which frequently break or bend the stay.

My invention further provides a simple means of throwing the blades, when opened or extender off the center77 without involving injurious shock to the metal p arts adapted to this purpose.

In order that those skilled may know how to make and use my improvements, I will pro` ceed to describe the same more in detail, referring by letters to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of a folding trunkstay containing my improvements, the stay being shown in combination with a trunk. The full lines show the stay opened to its full extent while supporting the trunk-lid in an open condition. The dotted or broken lines show the folding operation of the stay resulting from the closing movement of the lid.

Fig. 2 is a plan and elevation of the blades of the stay detached from the trunk and from each other. Fig. 3 embraces a series of sections through the blades-in planes at right angles to the plane` containing the bladesshowing some of the forms which may be given the ridges or flutes used to guide the blades. Fig. 4L is a side view similar to Fig. l, but showing only parts of the stay near the joint, wherein is shown a means equivalent to that of Fig. l of throwing the extended blades off the center. Fig. 5 isl a View similar to Fig. Li, showing the joint divested of the lock ing principle. Fig, 6 is a side View similar to Fig. l, showing my locking or friction slot adapted to a stay of but one blade.

Similar letters indicate like parts in the several figures.

Ais the body, and B thelid,.ofa trunk,hinged at C.

D and E are the. blades of the stay, overlapping each other and attached to the trunk Y by pivotal fastenings at F and G.

H is a tapering slot or friction-slot formed in the blade E.

J is the common pivot of the blades, preferably a rivet fastened to or proceeding from the blade D. It connects the blades and is adapted to travel to some extent within the slot, but will become wedged or bound therein if pulled or pressed forcibly toward orA into the narrower end of the slot.

K is a lip, stud, or projection formed upon the blade E, and L is a shoulder formed upon the other blade, D. The trunk being in an open condition, the stay, while supporting the lid, assumes the position shown by full lines in Fig. l, with the pivot J wedged more or less tight in the frictionsslot H, according to the power which has been applied to the stay by the pressure on the trunk-lid.

It is obvious that the degree or intensity of locking may be increased at any time, while and guiding` thereon. I

the trunk is opemby pressure upon the trunklid. On closing the trunk a pull upon the lid-of more or less force, according to the degree of locking-unlocks the stay by releasing the pivot J from the frictional restraint and sending it to the wider end of the frictionslot II. The lip K strikes and slides upon the shoulder L, deflecting thel blades off the center and causing them to fold in the manner shown by Fig. l. Near the end of the folding action the lip K operates to keep the pivot J in the wider end of the friction-slot by overlapping the forward end of the blade D This is shown by the dotted lines of Fig. l.

M M, &c., are ridges or flutes formed by bending, expanding, or striking up the metal ofthe blades. They interpose between the plane surfaces of the blades and the sides of the trunk and tray, bearing off from said sides the blades proper, whereby the pivot J and the lip K are prevented from chafing the trunk or from catching thereon in a manner to interfere with the folding of the stay, as may happen with other stays. They may be of any length and shape and in any number to effect my purpose.

It is obvious that the shoulder L and the lip K may be interchanged in position in the manufacture of the stay without affecting the folding of the stay; also that the blades may be madeto foldinward, instead of outward, by making the lip K and the shoulder L on the opposite or inner edges of the blades.

It is obvious also that the friction-slot may be placed in either blade, it being only necessary that onev blade should contain the slot, and the other blade the common pivot.

I may adapt my friction-slot to a stay of one blade7 similar to that shown in Fig. G, in which N is the fixed pivot; I), the traveling pivot; Q, the slot inwhich the pivot l? travels 5 R, the blade of the stay, and II my frictionslot. I may also construct the blades of a stay as shown in Fig. 4 without departing from the principle of my invention, although I prefer the construction shown in Figs. l and 2.

In Fig. 4 a lip, S, may be formed upon one blade, E, by cutting the edge thereof, as shown, and a shoulder, T, upon the other blade, D, as shown. On closing the lid of the trunk a striking and sliding contact ensues between the formations S and T, whereby the blades D and lIl are deflected for folding, as before described.

In Fig. 5 the slot U is so made as to permit the pivot J to travel without locking the stay, while in other respects the method of jointing shown in Fig. 1 is preserved.

I have described various modifications of 6o 3. A trunk-stay having the blade D, pro- Y vided with the inclined shoulder L, in combination with the blade E, provided with the lip K, said blades being pivoted together, and adapted to operate substantially as described.

4. A trunk-stay composed of twopivoted arms or blades, the blades of which are provided with one or more ,guiding ridges or flutes, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of 'two subscribing witnesses.

C.v D. SIGSBEE.

lVitnesses:

DUNCAN KENNEDY, J. II. BULL. 

